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Dog Bad Breath: Causes and What Helps

VCA says the most common cause of bad breath in dogs is periodontal disease. That makes it a reason to look at your dog's teeth, and to ask your vet, rather than just to mask the smell.

Liv
·6 min read
Bad breath in a dog is most often plaque and tartar (VCA). Because it can also come from other causes, have your vet check the mouth. Daily brushing is VCA's best prevention, and the VOHC seal marks products shown to reduce plaque or tartar. This page is general information, not a diagnosis.
How We Select Products: We set the criteria first from veterinary guidance (daily plaque control, and products on the VOHC list where one exists) and then read the Amazon listing for each product. We have not tested these products ourselves, so where we repeat the manufacturer's description we say 'per the listing'.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, PawPicks earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What Causes Bad Breath in Dogs

VCA lists four causes of halitosis in dogs: bacteria associated with plaque or tartar, decomposing food particles trapped in periodontal pockets, persistent bleeding from coagulation abnormalities, and tissue death from oral tumors. It says the most common cause is periodontal disease arising from plaque and tartar build-up.[1]

How Common Is Dental Disease?

VCA says that over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease.[2] It lists pawing at the mouth, head shaking, jaw chattering, chewing with obvious discomfort, dropping food, swallowing with difficulty and excessive drooling as signs.[2]

When to See the Vet

Because the causes range from tartar to bleeding disorders and tumors, bad breath is worth a vet visit rather than a guess. VCA says diagnosis starts with a thorough examination of the whole mouth, followed by a professional cleaning under general anesthesia, with dental X-rays to look below the gumline. Professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, and advanced periodontal disease may need a tooth extracted.[1] For prevention, VCA lists professional dental examinations at least twice a year.[1]

What Helps at Home

VCA says daily brushing is the best way to prevent tartar build-up, though most owners do not do it, and lists dog toothpaste, special chew toys, dental treats, dental diets and water additives as other options.[2] It also mentions oral care products containing zinc, which inhibit odor formation.[1] The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) puts its seal only on products shown to reduce the accumulation of plaque or tartar.[2] The VOHC table (file dated 25 August 2026) includes Canine Greenies (accepted 2007) and C.E.T. VeggieDent FR3SH chews (2020).[3]

VCA says tartar that has already formed cannot easily be removed by diets or brushing, which is why the professional cleaning above exists.[2] Our dental chew guide compares the options and what the VOHC list does and does not cover.

C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs and Cats, Poultry, 2.5oz
Best Place to Start Brushing

C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs and Cats, Poultry, 2.5oz

A dog-and-cat toothpaste in a poultry flavor, which fits VCA's advice to brush daily with a dog-specific toothpaste.

Pros

  • Made for dogs and cats, per the listing title
  • Poultry flavor, per the listing title
  • Small 2.5 oz tube

Cons

  • Brushing only works if you do it daily (VCA)
  • Availability depends on your delivery address, so check the listing
Price varies by size and seller; check current price on Amazon
Check current price on Amazon
Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats, Original Chicken Flavor
VOHC-Listed Daily Chew

Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats, Original Chicken Flavor

Canine Greenies are on the VOHC list for plaque and tartar (accepted 2007); this is the regular size for dogs 25 to 50 lbs, per the listing.

Pros

  • On the VOHC list for plaque and tartar control
  • Sized by dog weight

Cons

  • A chew is food, so count the calories
  • Not a substitute for brushing or a professional cleaning
Price varies by size and seller; check current price on Amazon
Check current price on Amazon
C.E.T. Veggiedent Fr3sh Plaque and Tartar Control Chews for Dogs
VOHC-Listed Plant-Based Chew

C.E.T. Veggiedent Fr3sh Plaque and Tartar Control Chews for Dogs

C.E.T. VeggieDent FR3SH chews are on the VOHC list for plaque and tartar (accepted 2020); the listing sells them by dog size.

Pros

  • On the VOHC list for plaque and tartar control
  • Plant-based chew, per the product name

Cons

  • Availability depends on your delivery address, so check the listing
  • Not a substitute for brushing or a professional cleaning
Price varies by size and seller; check current price on Amazon
Check current price on Amazon

What a Chew Will Not Do

Quick Comparison

ProductWhat It's For
C.E.T. Enzymatic ToothpasteDaily brushing, the best prevention according to VCA
Greenies Regular Dental TreatsA daily chew on the VOHC list
C.E.T. Veggiedent Fr3shA plant-based daily chew on the VOHC list

Our Take

Treat bad breath as a signal, not just a smell. Book a vet check, then build a daily routine: brushing first, a VOHC-listed chew as a supplement, and a professional dental exam at the interval your vet advises.

Frequently Asked Questions

VCA says the most common cause is periodontal disease from plaque and tartar build-up. Other causes it lists include food trapped in periodontal pockets, bleeding disorders and oral tumors.
VCA's advice is a thorough oral examination, so it is worth a vet visit rather than a guess, especially because the causes range from tartar to tumors.
VCA says that over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease.
VCA says daily brushing is the best way to prevent tartar build-up.
A chew can help reduce plaque or tartar if it is on the VOHC list, but VCA says tartar that has already formed cannot easily be removed by diets or brushing and needs a professional cleaning.
VCA says the VOHC seal appears only on products shown to reduce the accumulation of plaque or tartar. The council publishes the list of accepted products.
About Liv
Co-founder & Lead Reviewer, PawPicks · Haarlem, Netherlands

I live in Haarlem with two dogs, Teddy and Bear, and a cat called Fountain. Seven years of that, and most of what I know I learned by getting it wrong first. I co-founded PawPicks so that you can check before you buy instead of after, and I say plainly when the evidence behind a popular remedy is thinner than the label suggests.

More about Liv →

References

  1. VCA Animal Hospitals. Halitosis in Dogs (last updated November 23, 2023). VCA Animal Hospitals (read 2026-11-06)
  2. VCA Animal Hospitals. Dental Disease in Dogs (last updated March 12, 2024). VCA Animal Hospitals (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Veterinary Oral Health Council. Accepted Products for Dogs, table (file dated 25 August 2026). VOHC table (PDF) and accepted products page (read 2026-11-06)

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